Speaking to BBC WM, Councillor Brigid Jones, cabinet member for children and family services, welcomed the findings.

"It's not going to be a quick fix," she said.

"We have been inadequate for four years and it's going to take time for the changes to bed in and for new staff to learn the ropes... but they [the LGA] said we have the capacity to improve and that's important to us."

The peer review, used to draw from the experience of other authorities working in similar fields and share best practice, was commissioned by the council.